DanielB

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/the-healthy-sail-center/getting-ready-to-cruise We all knew it was coming....here it is.

Correct you need the AG Card as it is the proctored version.

Mansfield here. My family is from the Newcomerstown area and my niece received the tests at that library. I know Cambridge library is out though as I have other family from that area (Senecaville). Small world

All mine expire 12/6....my last cruise departs 12/5....whew. Just read an article and one of our hospital systems are now giving them away at the door starting tomorrow. The label says expire 9/6 but has a 3 month extension from the FDA.

I was lucky as all our county branches here have tests, I was able to get 6 so we have 1 spare in case one is defective. My family is in east central Ohio and they were able to get a couple as well. However I know many are running out now. Good luck

We have completed 2 tests with them....my test I took around 11:15a EST and had no wait, connected right away. 2nd test took at 12:25p EST and waited about 15 mins to connect. Once the tests are complete (15 min wait time) the connection back to the proctor was almost immediate....less than a minute both times.

Didn't know that either, I am surprised that Ohio is giving these expensive tests away at all. The QR code for testing takes you to an eMed website for Ohio residents. I even inputted that I was using the test for travel. Here is the Ohio website if anyone is looking for these. Not sure all the rapid tests are the proctored type needed so please do your homework first. https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/dashboards/other-resources/testing-ch-centers

I know these are accepted with Royal for travel and you can buy a 6 pack for $150 +shipping through the website. The State of Ohio actually offers these free of charge and can be picked up at most of our libraries. I just went and got 3 to confirm they were the proctored version for our upcoming cruise next month. I came home and used one to see how they worked and now we have the 2 for our travels next month. So I would check with your state health departments and see if they offer rapid at home tests, I'm sure if Ohio is using eMed/Abbott then I am sure that many others are as well. Hope this helps others. We were just going to go the CVS route but this option is awesome and saves the $150 for the ship.

I just read a blog that Symphony only had 1300 last week...yes I know you asked about NJ and she sails from Mia but just threw it out for comparison. They also stated that there were excited it was so limited but then later found that with such limited people that the "heart" of the ship didn't seem to be there. Excellent service and food but they missed having people onboard.

1) I do not believe the Straw Market is there anymore. I think there was a fire a few years ago and now the new terminal is being built in the same vicinity. 2) Vaccinated guests can explore on their own. 3) Unvaccinated guests (under 12 or with a medical or religious reason for not being vaccinated) have to do a Royal excursion to leave the ship. Enjoy!

Another shout out to using MEI and Beth Dickerson. Yesterday I got an email from her saying that she was able to apply a discount to my Symphony of the Seas cruise on Sept 25 and we would be getting a $140 OBC for this price adjustment. Say what???? I check prices daily and did not see this but somehow she pulled a rabbit out of her hat and saved us some cash. Thanks for supporting Royal Caribbean Blog and always going above and beyond for your customers MEI and all their TA's but especially Beth ?

Yes my November 14th Harmony is giving me anxiety as I think it will be cancelled for this reason. ? I'm trying to convince my husband to change to Oasis from Miami but he already submitted his vacation and doesn't want to change it. Ugh

This falls under USDA which at the cruise terminals says no fruits, shells, blah blah blah...however this is what I found on their website https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/Can-I-bring-sea-shells-from-another-country-into-the-United-States#:~:text=USDA does not require a permit to bring,not contain any dirt%2C which can carry microorganisms. This article says you can, but I do know the signage on the gangway and guidance from the ships says no. Sorry I don't have a better answer for you.

Or you could just type in the date and it changed. At least that is how it worked for me, if you used the calendar then yes you would have to go through each month.

But many local bahamians work on the islands as well. Not sure how many on Perfect Day but I know 2 boatloads came from the surrounding islands for Disney's Castaway Cay.

Will be exciting to go under in October when I sail her.

I wish I could be on the ship by 11a- noon like before but really no biggie. Hotel check out is usually 11a or noon so just have them store the luggage until we leave. My Symphony in September I got a 1p in Miami.

I am checked in for the Nov 14th Harmony sailing and the only check in time available was 3-3:30 so I would be willing to bet that that time frame is "sold out" and preventing you to continue. More times should be added closer to the sailing.

Yes that is exactly what mine says.

Thanks I will keep checking for sure but whats a few hours to wait to board since there has been no cruising for so long. Just roll with the punches and enjoy life along the way. Enjoy your Anthem cruise.

November 14th Harmony cruise only time available was 3-3:30p and check in just opened this morning. I will keep checking toward closer to sailing for an earlier time. Check in for the Oasis class seems to start at 1p now or that was the earliest option for my Symphony sailing September 25.

Thanks for sharing this building journey with us. It turned out beautiful and I hope you enjoy it for years.

Thank you all.

Unfortunately my mother recently lost her battle with cancer (mantel cell lymphoma-MCL) She was booked with us in our cabin for a November cruise and we did purchase the Royal Caribbean Travel Protection Plan and the cruise was originally booked on November 2, 2019 (lift and shifted last year to this year). When we booked the original cruise my mother did not have MCL. Final Payment for this cruise is now upon us, my wonder MEI Agent (Beth) has been most helpful and has found that if we remove her from the reservation at this point to go to a 2 person room is more expensive so we just processed the final payment. She stated if we did a no show at the port for my mom we would of course get her gratuities and port fees refunded and also advised of the Protection Plan but had never experienced filing a loss to them for this type of situation. We wish to cruise, I need to cruise at this point and planning this vacation is keeping my mind on something else during this time. Has anyone filed a loss to RCL Protection Plan- underwritten by Arch and administered my Aon. We are from Ohio also since state residency matters. Would I make a claim now or do I wait until after the cruise? Thanks so much!

I have a November cruise to San Juan, I know it is a US Territory and not part of the US Virgin Islands but wonder if they will impose anything. Are there any cruises to San Juan anytime soon?